Ghostface Killah, New York legend and a veteran within the iconic Wu-Tang Clan, drops his 17th solo LP. We know him as one of the most inventive storytellers in hip-hop and without a doubt the most consistent member of the Clan. Check out his classics like *Ironman*, *Supreme Clientele*, *FishScale*, *Apollo Kids*, *12 Reasons to Die* and *Sour Soul*. Although *Ghostface Killahs* marked a rare dip in his repertoire in the fall of 2019, Ghost manages to put the Legend Has It series back on the map with *Supreme Clientele 2*.
The record starts with an intro by Redman, then the track “Iron Man” jumps in with a rock-hard boom bap beat that talks about the Wall Street hysteria surrounding helium stocks. “Sample 420” is a stunner of a gangsta track on which M.O.P. shares the beef with Ghost. Then you have “Curtis May” who with help from Conway the Machine & Styles P prescribe their rhymes as if they were pure medication. While “4th Disciple” weaves a dusty tale about a homie who loses his life in a violent shootout.
On “Windows,” Ghostface opts for a soulful vibe, where he talks about his crew mobbing together. After the “Pause” skit, “Georgy Porgy” makes it clear once again; he's not here to play games. The “Force MD” skit leads you into “Break Beats,” which jazzy shows that Ghost can dance with the angels as well as the devils. “Beat Box” makes room for funky lines about a lady playing her own game.
Scram Jones’ production of the single “Rap Kingpin,” featuring the sample of “My Melody” by Eric B. & Rakim, takes us to a follow-up to the classic “Mighty Healthy.” “The Trial,” in collab with GZA, Method Man, Pillz, Raekwon & Reek da Villain and draped after the “Sale of the Century” skit, brings a lively trial into your speakers. Joined by Nas on the soulful “Love Me Anymore,” the gentlemen discuss how cruel people can be. The crooning “Soul Thang” with the help of DriZ and NEMS, among others, has everyone lyrically rubbing off on each other.
“Metaphysics” remixes “Typhoon Rap” by Meyhem Lauren along with Action Bronson, while “Candyland” offers a plethora of candy & drugs word jokes. The “Lenny Green” skit is followed by “The Zoom,” a passionate love ballad sampled from the Commodores. It ends with “You Ma Friend” where Method Man appears once again for an ode to friendship, just before the “Knuckles” outro.
The third contribution in the Legend Has It saga and the second project under Mass Appeal allows Ghostface Killah to rise from the mediocrity at *Ghostface Killahs* and *Set the Tone (Guns & Roses)*. It feels like a rediscovery of his old school self, with that salty crispness. Ghost is sharper, smoother and more creative than ever, a perfect revival of his storytelling prowess. Truly, the man knows how to reinvent himself again and again.
Score: A well-deserved 8/10.
#hhz #houhet salt #hiphop #ghostfacekillah #wu-tang
